River Dipping.

Keeping up with this Dipper as it feed in the fast flowing river wasn't that easy to photograph. But a lifer for me! this time i didn't dip out. And yet one still cant believe the characteristics of this species. I was defiantly fascinated with this little bird swimming on and under the fast bubbling water of the river.

A great laugh.

The rather familiar laughing call off a Green Woodpecker helped me locate this Levillant's Green Woodpecker whilst searching for Crossbills in the forest slopes of the mountains.This Endemic species is only found in the Atlas Mountain Range. We finally spotted the Crossbills but the photo opportunities wasn't great due to overcast conditions.

Midweek Morocco.

The wife and i decided on a short midweek break to Marrakesh in Morocco. So i took the chance to visit the High Atlas Mountains. After searching the Internet i found a guide for a days birding named Brahim Bakass his knowledge of the Mountains was first class.These photos are of a Horned Lark feeding amongst the melting snow.

Posing Parakeet.

Above photo is a juvenile Rose-ringed Parakeet.
 Below is the only picture i got of this very confiding Violet Turaco.

A record photo of a Senegal Parrot taken in Gambia 2012.

Local Residents

(Above) Local Avocets preparing to land as the tide drops.

Marsh Harrier (above) glides over the marsh.

A kestrel resting during a days hunting.

                                      And a resident Yellowhammer taking food to  the nest.  All photos taken during trips to my Local Patch during the year.

Monthly moments.

Above Curlew Sandpipers and below Little Stint.

(below) One of the 16 Whinchats found on the 7th Sept.

                             And around 40 Beard Tits (below) were counted on the 28th Sept.

Never knowing what might turn up on the M.o.D Ranges is what makes my Sunday mornings birding exciting, especially during Autumn migration. After searching through hundreds of waders roosting at high tide and hunting under bushes and reed beds these are my Favourite monthly moments.

eBird Catch up .

Whilst updating my Ebird lists recently. I came across this photo that i took of the rather abundant Senegal Coucal and decided to share it on my blog. Hope you like it, happy birding folks

The Local Hoddie's.

Came across these Hooded Vultures quibbling amongst themselves to who was going to tear in to dinner first.

Horse playing Hoopoe.

Although i was on a family holiday in Tunisia i did managed to find time in the Morning to walk around the Hotel Thapsus Grounds in the town of Mahdia. http://www.hotelthapsus.com/?lang=en

 The stables within the complex for the riding school was a great area to watch and photograph the Hoopoe's  feeding on the Ants. 

Posing Pelican

This Pelican stood out amongst the crowd off Little Pied Cormorants. I would have taken a few more pictures if it hadn't been for the Tiger snake i saw as i was about to disembark from the car. Always a good idea to check out of the window first when birding in Oz.

Masked & Wary

The Masked Lapwing is very wary of people. So i was quite lucky to get close to the wader for a few photo's. The yellow wattles on the face was the first thing i noticed. But within a few seconds the bird was gone. Another life tick for my list was gained.

Dull Reflection.

The still conditions helped to cast some good reflections. But being overcast made getting a glint in the eye impossible. But still another wader for the list.

Dry weather Falcon.

This Brown Falcon was resting on the dry weather road sign whilst searching for his lunch. Photo was taken at Werribee Treatment Plant, Melbourne.

Sandpipers at roost.

 Another lifer for me and a great addition to my Sandpiper list was these Sharp-tailed Sandpipers pictured here roosting at high tide.

Old Crow.

Within a few minutes of entering Werribee Treatment Plant. I found a kite sitting on the Solar panel. A Couple of snap shots and he took to the air. But to my surprise on the fence post along the track was a pair of Wedge-tailed Eagles. All was going well as i crept closer trying not to disturb them and also trying to cut out the heat haze. Then a all of a sudden a local Crow decided to upset them and they were gone.